TCM Spotlight Errol Flynn Adventures Desperate Journey Edge Of Darkness 1943 Northern Pursuit Uncertain Glory Objective Burma

Posted In: Edge Of Darkness

Lida Carmell says...

The heroic resistance of the occupied Norway attracted, for some reason, a fair amount of interest, in "The Commandos Strike At Dawn,"



"The Moon Is Down," and "Edge of Darkness."



Lewis Milestone, who has made the pacifist "All Quiet on the Western Front, is a key figure in crusading films about war..



His "Edge of Darkness" is a brave and interesting film ,and a touching tribute to Norwegian courage during the Nazi occupation...



The characterization is cleverly drawn: Errol Flynn, the fisherman who assumes command of the resistance in his small Norwegian village; Ann Sheridan, the willful and obstinate daughter of the respected physician Walter Huston who didn't want to know but is led inexorably to aid the resistance after his innocent daughter is brutally raped by a German soldier; Ruth Gordon, his shy retiring wife, as the neurotic mother who lives in dreams of the past; her greedy brother, the opportunistic businessman Charles Dingle who owns the cannery which employs most of the villagers, a traitor who "deals in facts... The future is with the New Order."



After the battle between the German garrison and the townspeople, when all his hopes and dreams are shattered, he wanders through the devastated village claiming it as his own: "It's mine, it's all mine", he cries with mad irrational eyes to a German patrol... Of course he is shot down...



Another characters in the movie: John Beal, the weak and traitorous son; an innkeeper (Judith Anderson) whose hatred of the enemy is intensified by their killing of her husband; and a courageous schoolmaster (Morris Carvosky), whose ivory tower is completely smashed...



The most interesting feature of the film is in its declination of social structure... The capitalist Dingle, is recognized by the brutal Nazis; the humble fisherman Flynn becomes the leader of the underground movement...



All the peacetime hierarchies are overturned: the lovely Ann Sheridan is capable to fall in love with Flynn, who, in peacetime, would have been untouchable..



Decision-making is no longer the exclusive right of the town elders, but of everybody... All the villagers must be involved... In the church they gather to decide whether or not to accept British guns and bullets... It is a matter for the villagers to decide by concord of opinion... They talk until they have agreed..



The film ends with the marching into the hills to continue their resistance... Walter Huston stumbles and falls... Flynn and his fianc

Posted on January 22, 2011

Fatimah Fauerbach says...

I am an Errol Flynn fan from 1950 remembering watching these movies on 16MM film at the theaters. We have come a long way from the VHS/Beta tape days to Laserdisc and now DVD and Blu-Ray. It's great that the movie studios are producing these old films again for us old guys and gals. Errol Flynn was a great actor in his days and watching him today is as if he was still with us. I thank the studios for making this possible.



I would highly recommend this DVD for the Errol Flynn fans. No flaws just a great reproduction and transfer of these films to DVD. I am grateful that the studios still kept these films in great shape for our time. This collection now compliments my other Errol Flynn movie collections that I have collected throughout the years.

Posted on January 23, 2011

Reina Stofferan says...

Except for Objective Burma the movies on this CD represent Errol Flynn movies normally not shown on TV. They are all enjoyable films and the CD set is worth adding to your Errol Flynn collection.

Posted on January 23, 2011

Danyell Mccalanahan says...

The DVDs are sturdy and well-encased in the box.The quality of the picture and sound for each film is very good (subtitles in English, French and Spanish a nice extra).Each film is accompanied by a cartoon, a short and a newsreel. All in all, a fine set of Flynn's wartime films.If someone would finally do a really good re-master of Santa Fe Trail, then the best of Flynn's work would be complete.

Posted on January 23, 2011

Arnette Kirley says...

Out of a total of more than 50 feature films, Errol Flynn made only five that had a World War 11 background and this well-presented box set gathers them all together making an interesting collection.



The set kicks off with "Desperate Journey" (1942), a rousing if somewhat improbable yarn of an British bomber crew who are shot down while on a mission and make their way back to England via Nazi-occupied Holland.Directed at a frantic pace by Raoul Walsh, it is played mainly for laughs by Flynn, Ronald Reagan, Alan Hale and Arthur Kennedy as the principal crew members pitting their wits against the ruthless Germans who are portrayed as ignorant buffoons. In its few moments of sadness and tragedy, director Walsh does not linger any longer than necessary and wastes no time in picking up the action as the film moves to a ridiculous climax where our heroes steal a plane and vitually decimate every German soldier in sight before taking off and dropping a large bomb on an important munitions factory on their way back to England. Flynn has the last line "Now for Australia and a crack at those Japs."The pace of this film is so fast that it doesn't even allow for any suspension of disbelief. But if you don't take it seriously, it's enjoyable.



The second film "Edge Of Darkness" is a much more polished production dealing with the inhabitants of a Nazi-occupied Norwegian fishing village. Directed with a firm hand by Lewis Milestone, it's an engrossing story covering the feelings and attitudes of different characters and their various reactions to the Germans who make their lives difficult. Errol Flynn and Ann Sheridan are the stars but their characters form only part of the action and they share screen time with a most distinguished cast including Walter Huston, Ruth Gordon and Judith Anderson.

Over the course of its two hours running time the film builds up a convincing sense of tension that results in a terrific action climax.Franx Waxman's score may be a little too bombastic in places but the film, as a whole, is immensely satisfying.



I can't agree with those viewers who feel that "Northern Pursuit"(1943) is an inferior film that lacks action and suspense. I enjoyed it enormously. It may not be a masterpiece but, for the most part, it has excellent pacing a good story that starts well and hits most of its intended targets. Flynn is in good form as a Canadian Mountie of German parentage who undertakes a mission to confound a group of ruthless Nazi saboteurs led by Warner's "Nazi-in-residence" Helmut Dantine.



The next film "Uncertain Glory" not only lacks action and suspense, it lacks an intelligent. As a devious French career criminal who eventually sacrifices himself as a converted patriot, Flynn is sadly miscast and gives what can only be described as an uncertain performance under Raoul Walsh's equally uncertain direction.The film deservedly was a flop in 1944 and doesn't really deserve a DVD release except as part of Errol Flynn's World War 11 canon.



"Objective,Burma" (1945), the last film in this collection is an outstanding war film by any standards. It concerns a mission by a small group of paratroopers entering into the steamy Burmese jungle to destroy a Japanese radar station in preparation for an Allied invasion.Unlike many war films, this has an air of authenticity in the way the mission is mounted and executed. Flynn is excellent as the leader of the mission. There is no sense of phony bravura or over-the-top heroics in his performance and he comes across as human and,at times, believably vulnerable. The action sequences are well handled as is the sense of desperation that develops when the platoon realises that they are outnumbered and beyond rescue.



This time, Franz Waxman delivers a superb score that perfectly supports the film's 142 minutes running time.



The set, as a whole, is worth a place in any interesting collection - four out of five isn't a bad average - and Warners have done their usual fine job of presenting each film in good condition with a whole plethora of "extras." Highly recommended.



Footnote

This is Warner's fourth box set of Errol Flynn - which means that they have now released most of his best work.Not all of Flynn's films were good but I believe there is sufficient scope for one more box set that could feature "Never Say Goodbye"(1946),"Cry Wolf" (1947), "Silver River"(1948, "That Forsyte Woman" (1949) and "Kim"(1951)

Posted on January 23, 2011

Leda Devilbiss says...

Impressive, absorbing and fundamental film during the Nazi take over in Norway. Lewis Milestone was a great director but when he decided to make a war movie something happened. He was provided by a special spell touch. It's happens the same when John Ford made a Western or Hitchcock a suspense picture. He was possessed by an inner call . There is a Spanish term previously used by Federico Garc

Posted on January 23, 2011

Cecily Leebrick says...

I have been waiting for years for this collection! Next to John Wayne, Errol Flynn was probably the most iconic screen persona of the 'wartime hero', and the screen's greatest swashbuckler made an inspiring spokesperson of allied wartime heroism...until his infamous 1942 rape trial revealed a more flawed, less heroic carouser and womanizer. Warner studio boss Jack Warner would be shocked and pleased that ticket sales for Flynn films didn't decline after the revelations, but Flynn's public image (and personal self-esteem) never truly recovered. So, in a sense, these five films show Flynn at the pinnacle of fame and success, sliding into his tragic decline...



"Desperate Journey" (1942): Aussie co-pilot Flynn's disregard to his captain's orders to remain at high altitude on a bombing mission over Poland gets the plane shot down, the captain killed, and Flynn and crewmates Ronald Reagan, Alan Hale, Arthur Kennedy, and Ronald Sinclair pursued across Europe by stereotypical Nazi villain Raymond Massey, and the most inept collection of German soldiers since "Hogan's Heroes"...This film is NOT to be taken seriously (in case you weren't sure), but to be enjoyed as one of the wildest, zaniest, most exciting adventure films of WWII. Director Raoul Walsh pulled out all the stops...and listen for Flynn's final line..."Now for Australia, and a crack at those Japs!", which had audiences in stitches, even in 1942! (4 1/2 stars, out of 5)



"Edge of Darkness" (1943): If "Desperate Journey" was unabashed silliness, "Edge" was a strong, brooding ensemble drama, filmed with director Lewis Milestone's compassion and understanding. Framed with a "Beau Geste"-style opening (in a ruined, deserted Norwegian village), the tale is told in flashback, as the Germans hold the village under an iron thumb. Some villagers profit by the Nazi presence, some plot their destruction, but Milestone makes it clear...to be neutral is no safe haven; either you fight, or you are no better than the profiteers. The cast is simply superb, especially Walter Huston, as the pacifist village doctor, Ruth Gordon as his oblivious wife, and Judith Anderson, as a woman fighting an attraction to a sympathetic German soldier. Flynn gives a restrained, self-assured performance as the resistance leader...sadly, Flynn's rape trial occurred during filming, overshadowing a profoundly moving film...(5 stars, out of 5)



"Northern Pursuit" (1943): Flynn's first post-trial film, this slow-moving adventure of Canadian Mountie Flynn infiltrating the spy ring supporting Nazi Helmut Dantine's deadly plans, lacks a spark of real enthusiasm from either Flynn or director Raoul Walsh. There are a few forced bits of 'humor' referring to the trial, and Flynn's character is already incorporating elements of the 'roue' that would redefine his screen persona, but as a whole, the film is indecisive as either action or drama, and a disappointment...(2 stars, out of 5)



"Uncertain Glory" (1944): The most bizarre, least successful of Flynn's war films, Career criminal Flynn (here playing 'Jean Picard') is sentenced to the guillotine, but an explosion allows him to escape...only to be recaptured by wise Inspector Paul Lukas. While returning Flynn to be beheaded, the pair learn of an act of sabotage (a destroyed bridge) that has so infuriated the Nazis that they announce they will execute 100 innocent French citizens, unless the saboteur steps forward. Flynn offers to accept the blame, preferring a firing squad to a guillotine, but the question is, will he turn himself in, or try to escape, especially as he falls in love...This reworking of "A Tale of Two Cities" (with a touch of "Les Miserables" tossed in) simply doesn't work, at all...Flynn's usual charm seems forced, the drama slides into melodrama, and by film's end, I really didn't care WHAT Flynn would do...(1 1/2 stars, out of 5).



"Objective, Burma!" (1945): A tremendous rebound, after "Uncertain Glory", this taut, exciting action/drama of a successful mission in occupied Burma going terribly wrong, should have been a worldwide hit, offering incredible battle sequences, and some of Raoul Walsh and Errol Flynn's best dramatic work together...but politics sank the film. The British government felt the American filmmakers snubbed their position as the major 'player' in the Burma campaign, implying the Americans "did it all", by themselves. This wasn't true (or even implied), and Warner's quickly added a preface to the movie, acknowledging British leadership and involvement...but the damage was done, and foreign distributers quickly yanked the film, as crowds booed Flynn and his squad off the screen. A great film never had a chance...Watch it, today, and you'll appreciate the film for the masterful work it actually was...(5 stars, out of 5).



What a collection...Enjoy!

Posted on January 23, 2011

Charmain Carmicle says...

Errol Flynn was the Quintessential swashbuckler. He literally stormed onto the screen in 1935 and proceeded to give us Captain Blood (1935) , Major Vickers of the Light Brigade (1936), Robin Hood (1938), the Earl of Essex (1939), Privateer Geoffrey Thorpe aka "The Seahawk" (1940, and George Armstrong Custer (1941). Most of these he made with Michael Curtiz and Olivia de Havilland. He also made the westerns like Dodge City (1939), Virginia City (1940), and Santa fe Trail (1940) in which he exchanged the sword for the six shooter. But all along he yearned for films that required more "acting" and as the war came along, and Flynn found himself unable to enlist (due to a TB spot and recurring bouts of Malaria), he turned to the making of war films not only to extend his acting but to serve his adopted country.



Here in one collection are those films. They range in quality, not only with respect to the films but also to Flynn's acting. In some (e.g., Objective Burma) he is the old recognizable hero, while in others he pulls back the throttle (e.g., Edge of Darkness) and in others the old Flynn will not be recognizable (e.g., Uncertain Glory).



This is an absolute must for Flynn fans.



We see him here at the peak of his powers, trying to change course, but the strong currents of his past will be impossible to steer against. Ahead lay the rocks of obscurity and undistinguished roles, the descent into alcoholism and drug abuse, the failure of his multiple marriages, and the self-parody. Near the end, the sun will rise once more and he will finally get the chance to reach the shores he yearned for. But in this remarkable collection we get a glimpse of the giant before the fall.

Posted on January 24, 2011

Margart Lemma says...

Here are the specifications of the extra features. Note the return of the Warner Night at the Movies that was last seen on the Warner Homefront Collection in late 2008. Also note that Objective Burma is a new release but that there are several new features on this new version.



Desperate Journey (1942) - directed by Raoul Walsh

BONUS FEATURES:

Warner Night at the Movies 1942 Short Subjects Gallery:

Vintage Newsreel

Oscar-Nominated Patriotic Short The Tanks Are Coming

Musical Shorts Borrah Minnevitch and His Harmonica School and The United States Army Air Force Band

Classic Cartoon The Dover Boys at Pimento University or the Rivals of Roquefort Hall

Trailers of Desperate Journey and 1942's Murder in the Big House



Edge of Darkness (1943)-directed by Lewis Milestone

BONUS FEATURES:

Warner Night at the Movies 1943 Short Subjects Gallery:

Vintage Newsreel

Musical Short The United States Service Bands

Classic Cartoons Hiss and Make Up and To Duck....or Not to Duck

Trailers of Edge of Darkness and 1943's The Hard Way



Northern Pursuit (1943) - directed by Raoul Walsh

BONUS FEATURES:

Warner Night at the Movies 1943 Short Subjects Gallery:

Vintage Newsreel

Wartime Short The Rear Gunner

Musical Short All-Star Melody Masters

Drama Short Over the Wall

Classic Cartoon Hop and Go

Trailers of Northern Pursuit and 1943's The Constant Nymph



Uncertain Glory (1944) - directed by Raoul Walsh

BONUS FEATURES:

Warner Night at the Movies 1944 Short Subjects Gallery:

Vintage Newsreel

Musical Short Unted States Coast Guard Band

Classic Cartoons Brother Brat and Russian Rhapsody

Trailers of Uncertain Glory and 1944's The Mask of Dimitrios



Objective, Burma! (1945) - directed by Raoul Walsh

BONUS FEATURES :

2 Classic Warner Brothers Wartime Shorts

1941's The Tanks are Coming With George Tobias, Richard Travis and Gig Young

1943's The Rear Gunner with Burgess Meredith and Ronald Reagan

Raoul Walsh Profile

Theatrical Trailer

Commentary by Historians Rudy Behlmer, Jon Burlingame and Frank Thompson

Warner Night at the Movies 1945 Short Subjects Gallery:

Vintage Newsreel

Joe McDoakes Comedy Short So You Think You're Allergic

Classic Cartoon A Tale of Two Mice

Trailers of Objective, Burma! and 1945's Pride of the Marines



All of these films have a World War II theme and all five are very good with the exception of "Northern Pursuit" which is ridiculous and - worse for a Flynn film - painfully slow. There have been some disagreements on what I've seen for extra features on Objective Burma. Some show the commentary as present, some do not. Overall, I'd recommend this set as a buy, especially if you don't already own Objective Burma in some form.

Posted on January 24, 2011

Clinton Bate says...

I love these movies.It's so refreshing seeing Hollywood support America instead of trying to tear it down.And who's more handsome than the delicious Errol Flynn?

Posted on January 26, 2011